12-leg pro circuit in the works

Preparations are under way for the revival of the local pro golf tour with former golf chief and sportsman Benny Gopez spearheading the re-staging of the circuit that flourished in the 90s with the year long Philip Morris tour.

Gopez, who opted not to seek a third term as head of the amateur golf body — the National Golf Association of the Phils. (NGAP) — to focus on the revival of the pro tour, said the BMG Group of Companies will finance the circuit tentatively set to kick off in the fourth quarter of the year.

"We’re looking at a 12-leg circuit and we’re planning to stage it after the rainy season," said Gopez in a recent interview with The STAR.

Gopez said he would be meeting with the top officials of the TPGAP (Touring Professional Golfers’ Association of the Phils.), the umbrella group of the touring pros, and heads of the various golf clubs late this month to discuss details of the circuit.

Gopez, an avid golfer, has noted the steady decline of local golf in the international arena due to lack of tournaments here, prompting him to take the lead-role in giving the sport a fresh start in a bid to bring back the glory days of RP golf.

"We used to be a power in Asian golf but our pros have struggled abroad the last few years. And that’s because there is hardly a tournament to play here," said Gopez.

Outside of the Philippine Open, only one pro tournament is held the last four years — The Country Club Invitational, put up by Ricky Razon, chairman and CEO of ICTSI.

It was also earlier reported that Razon has signified his intention to put in a big chunk of money to stage a 10-leg circuit while two other backers are willing to sponsor tournaments for the touring pros.

Pro golf prospered in the 90s with the annual Philip Morris golf circuit but the ban on tobacco sponsorships on sports events stunted its growth as tournaments became very few and far between with the ruling pro golf body — the PGAP — failing to lure new corporate backers.

The TPGAP has been put back into active commission early last year, now headed by Cookie La’O III, who was elected president during the TPGAP’s general assembly last December. The members of the new board are Carito Villaroman (vice president), Ricardo Liwanag (sec-gen), Marlon Dizon (treasurer), Jerome Delariarte (auditor), Gerard Cantada (director for ways and means), Danny Zarate and Mario Manubay (membership), Eddie Bagtas (director) and Angelo Que (director for external affairs).

Frankie Miñoza, the country’s foremost shotmaker, also threw his full support to the TPGAP by agreeing to be one of its directors and adviser.